Over the long weekend, I came down with a rather heavy cold. It was miserable to say the least. While staying in bed most of the weekend was exactly what I needed insufferable, I had at least found a silver lining in my snot-encrusted Kleenexes: As I trolled the the archives of Netflix with no limitations (except for coughing fits and frequent naps, naturally), I rediscovered one of my favorite movies, Death at a Funeral. It is an extremely outrageous British (not the American remake) comedy about the troubles of an upper-class British family that has been torn apart by sibling tensions, the passing of their patriarch, and a hidden love affair with Tyrion Lannister.

You know, the norm.

While this is a plug for everyone to watch the movie—seriously, you will laugh your ass off—I also want to encourage you to hit pause on your work and press play on your favorite movies. Taking that trip down nostalgia lane is refreshing, heart-warming, and downright, well, nostalgic. Everyone loves that feeling. There’s nothing better. For me, Death at a Funeral led me from one movie to another … and then another until I had watched well over 5 10 15 movies from way back when.

So this week, take some time to watch a movie or two that you haven’t seen in a while, eat some pumpkin-flavored food, and get cozy. To help you with your planning, here is a tribute to movies from our childhood.  [Read more →]

It’s reading period. We’re supposed to be studying. So why I am watching episode after episode of Secret Life of the American Teenager? I don’t even like this show! I can literally feel my brain cells dying. 

Procrastination: We all do it. It’s a blessing and a curse. So how do we combat it during finals? Here are some tips and tricks:

1. Deactivate your Facebook. I used to get a friend to change my password so I couldn’t use it. On the first day of summer, I relogged onto Facebook only to find my profile picture changed to this: [Read more →]

The Netflix Files works to find the hidden gems of Netflix’s Watch Instantly feature, the films and TV shows that have gone largely unnoticed by the streaming community. This ever-popular column has been on indefinite hiatus all semester due to other commitments.

You don't want no part of this shit.

While you decide how you want to spend this glorious Friday of Spring Weekend, April 20th of the last year before the earth implodes, be sure to stay cognizant of the dangers of Marihuana addiction, as highlighted by the 1936 classic Reefer Madness.

That’s right, the “new drug menace which is destroying the youth of America in alarmingly increasing numbers” might even find its way onto our beloved campus. Think of how much less fun the What Cheer? Brigade would be if you spent the whole concert wanting to rape, murder, run over pedestrians with your new T-Bird and/or leap out a third-story window just because you think you can fly. Because that’s what you’re looking at with Public Enemy Number One — La Marihuana. [Read more →]

For Netflix, 2011 was a pivotal year in determining the company’s sustainability in the face of a flagging home video market and the push toward streamed content. The near-fatal price hike announced in July lost Netflix 800,000 subscribers, and CEO Reed Hastings’ seemingly endless flow of apology emails (as well as one particularly stubborn pothead on Twitter) continued to diminish brand loyalty. In the midst of this, Netflix examined new ways to stay relevant, initiating its unprecedented foray into original content with Kevin Spacey’s House of Cards and the highly-anticipated Arrested Development mini-season. The year culminated on an optimistic note, as stock began to recuperate and Netflix regained 610,000 subscribers.

In light of this, let’s reflect on the significance of 2011 by taking a look at Netflix’s streaming selection of films released last year: the good, the bad and the direct-to-the-bargain-bin-at-Tedeschi shit Nicolas Cage churned out so he wouldn’t have to sell another home. [Read more →]

I’ve absolutely hated midterms. Have I slept less than I ever have in a single academic week? Of course. Have I studied more for one History of Brazil test than I did for all of my final exams senior year of high school? Of course. Did I have my first cup of coffee ever? Of course not; I stand on my principles. But at least I expected these things. The tragedy comes when you remember that there are still — my attempts at making a timeturner be damned — just 24 measly hours in a day. There hasn’t been much time for breathing, let alone blog posts. Luckily for me, I seem to have deluded myself into seeing a light at the end of the tunnel (yes, I am wholly aware that it’s a mirage). But for now, let’s bask in the light and spend some time one the things we missed so much:

1. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart: Usually an excellent 30 minute late-night distraction when I’m not in the mood for Jo’s, I haven’t seen my favorite member of the tribe work his magic live in weeks. Why not just watch on Hulu the next day? Well, naive soul, clearly you don’t realize that there’s something really stale about watching jokes about what’s already mostly yesterday’s news even one day later. Not a good use of my already overbooked time.  [Read more →]

Curtain closed, bitch.

A mere 21 days after announcing the division of its streaming and DVD-by-mail services, Netflix has formally acknowledged what a horrible idea that was — Qwikster is dead.

This means that you can still mooch off of your parents’ Netflix streaming account without paying a separate bill. More importantly, lovable stoner Jason Castillo has officially triumphed over capitalism.

ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT IS BACK!!!

After four and a half years of meaningless back-and-forth from cast members (we’re looking at you, Michael Cera, you mopey little bitch), series creator Mitch Hurwitz today announced his intentions to go ahead with not only a feature-length Arrested Development film, but also a Season Four.  [Read more →]

If you still possess a Netflix account, yesterday you received a sad, sad email from CEO Reed Hastings. Mine began: “Dear Michael, I messed up. I owe you an apology.” The message proceeds to explain that Netflix had not anticipated such negative feedback to its recent change in price structure. It further informs the subscriber that DVDs will no longer be mailed under the Netflix name — now, mail service will operate through “Qwikster.”

The pricing hasn’t changed this time around (both services still cost the same as before, but now cannot be combined on credit card statements), yet the move certainly doesn’t help the company’s image. Especially since the Twitter name “Qwikster” is already taken, and by this guy:

The lovable, hungry-as-shyt Jason Castillo has received over 10,000 followers since Hastings announced the new name. Netflix has offered him $1k for his account, but Blockbuster is probably offering him more to keep it.

Last week we told you we’d keep writing about Netflix because it’s suddenly become an endearing underdog of sorts. This week, we’re gonna retcon all that and instead turn our attention to local, computer-free options for DVD rentals. [Read more →]

It’s been a rough summer for Netflix.

Image courtesy of Deadline.com

In July, Netflix announced its plans to terminate the super-cheap, super-beloved $9.99 plan in favor of making its subscribers dish out more for the use of each service (DVD and streaming). Deadline estimates that the decision will cost Netflix 2.5 million subscribers.

You already know all about this. Maybe you’ve cancelled your account. As long as we’re being honest, I certainly considered doing the same. Briefly. But BlogDailyHerald pays me WAY too much for me to ever stop writing this column.

We wondered whether Netflix would remain such an integral and relevant part of Brown culture. This summer saw the emergence of HBO GO, the amazingly comprehensive library of every HBO series and film. (I used it to binge-watch The Wire in its entirety… like everyone else.) HBO GO could have easily been incorporated into this column. But ultimately, we resolved to stick to our guns.

Netflix Watch Instantly might not be able to give us cool new releases like Toy Story 3 or The Social Network anymore. Yet that’s not really what this column is supposed to be about. We’re looking for the movies and TV that exist off the beaten path, the fun hidden gems. Basically, what we’re saying is Netflix still has a lot of random shit, and we still want to tell you all about it.

So, without further adieu, let’s talk about LARPing.   [Read more →]

Just a few hours ago, we posted our weekly Netflix Files column, which featured a brief introductory note describing the appeal of streaming serial dramas.

Yesterday, Netflix brokered a deal that aims to revolutionize television altogether. In an unprecedented move, Netflix outbid expected buyer HBO to purchase one of the most anticipated TV shows in development, House of Cards.

The serial political drama is an adaptation of a popular 1990 BBC miniseries of the same name. The American version is set to star Kevin Spacey, two-time Oscar-winning actor (The Usual Suspects, American Beauty). Spacey’s last regular TV role was on the underappreciated ’80s cop drama Wiseguy as criminal billionaire Mel Profitt. (To give you a time bearing here, his main henchman’s catchphrase was calling people “Buckwheat,” and everyone thought that was f**king badass.)

Oh yeah, and the pilot for House of Cards is being directed by David Fincher, director of The Social Network and Fight Club. He and Spacey previously collaborated on Se7en back in 1995, and Spacey produced The Social Network.

The deal secures Netflix’s exclusive rights to the series, and a 26-episode order (that’s two seasons, roughly $4-6 million an episode). The pilot hasn’t even been filmed yet. A two-season straight-to-series order has never been done before. It’s a risky, $100 million+ move, but, if it pays off, it could change the way television operates forever. The episodes are expected to be offered via Watch Instantly, in serial mode. With quality original programming under its belt, Netflix should be able to boost its subscriber base considerably.

Just another reason Netflix rocks.